Royal Notice - Transportation of Couples from the Azores Islands to Brazil

The King, Our Lord, in response to the requests of the inhabitants of the Azores Islands - who asked for permission to emigrate in order to alleviate the difficult situation of poverty they face - determined, by resolution of August 31 of this year (consulted in the Overseas Council on August 8), to grant the benefit of transportation and settlement in Brazil to the interested couples.

This will be done at the expense of the Royal Treasury, In order to be eligible, men had to be no older than 40 and women no older than 30. To be eligible, men must be no older than 40 and women no older than 30.

When they arrived in Brazil:

• Each woman from the Azores aged between 12 and 25 years, married or single, will receive a 2,400 réis allowance;
• Each couple with children will receive thousand réis per child to buy clothes;
• Once they have settled in, the couples will receive
  • Tools and utensilsa rifle, two hoes, a hoe, a hammer, a machete, two knives, two scissors, two augers, a saw with a file and a brake;
  • Resources for agriculture and breedingtwo bushels of seeds, two cows and a mare;
  • FoodIn the first year, sufficient flour will be provided for sustenance: three quarters of a bushel per month for each adult, and one and a half for children up to 14 years old (children under 7 will not receive this portion).

In addition, men who are transported with resources from the Crown shall be exempt from serving in the paid troops, provided that they establish themselves in the designated locations within a period of up to two years.

Each couple will receive a quarter of a square meter land (free of charge) to start growing crops.

If, over time, the family grows and can cultivate more, they can request more land from the local governor, according to the rules in force.

These same benefits also apply:

• To couples born in the Azores who are already in the Kingdom of Portugal;
• Foreign couples (not slaves) who own property in America;
• Craftsmen (qualified professionals), who will also receive a stipend commensurate with their skills.

Registration:
All those interested must present themselves for enlistment from Monday to Thursday afternoon at the house of the judge José da Costa Ribeiro, executor of the Overseas Council, located in Rua de São José, behind the Church of Anunciada.

D. João V, August 31, 1746

Source: Island SC